Erdoğan Urges US-Iran Diplomacy in Series of Global Calls

President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan conducted a series of diplomatic calls between August 17 and August 19, 2026, focusing on de-escalating tensions between the United States and Iran. In discussions with U.S. President Donald Trump, Erdoğan urged Washington to maintain diplomatic talks after reports emerged that Iran intended to shift to a fully offensive military posture following stalled peace negotiations and a declined ceasefire extension. Erdoğan offered the support of the Government of Türkiye for peace efforts and called for the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz to oil tanker traffic.

During the calls with Trump, the leaders also addressed the conflict in Gaza, where Erdoğan noted an increase in Israeli attacks coinciding with the intended start of the second phase of the Gaza Peace Plan. They further discussed the Mecca Mutual Defense Agreement, signed August 7 by Türkiye, Saudi Arabia, and Pakistan, which Trump characterized as a step toward regional rapprochement.

Erdoğan expanded his diplomatic outreach to other global partners, pledging to deepen strategic ties in defense and trade during a call with British Prime Minister Andy Burnham. In a subsequent conversation with Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi on August 19, Erdoğan reiterated that negotiations are the only way to resolve the U.S.-Iran conflict. Takaichi praised Türkiye's mediating role and emphasized the necessity of ensuring safe navigation in the Strait of Hormuz.